collimation colly wobbles

[Mike Godfrey]

Hello guys,

I am due to buy a Skywatcher explorer 200 (EQ5) and join the massed ranks. Although I am still awaiting management final approval :shock:

As someone who has never even looked down a telescope (not counting the ones at the beach) I am a little concerned about collimation on reflectors -how easy is it for a complete dunderheed like me to do without damaging the scope ?

Also how often does it have to been done ?

Thanks guys,

Mike

[Kaptain Klevtsov]

You need to talk to caz, she's the expert, having just done hers she'll know all about it. Same 'scope too. Mine's also the same but I haven't done mine yet as it's too scary.

Captain Chaos

[radioactive]

Mike Unaccustomed as I am to posting on this forum I thought I must put this link on for you to watch and learn from its been on the forum in the past and has helped many people please allow the page to load get some popcorn and watch the movie and all will become clearer good luck

http://www.andysshotglass.com/Collimating.html

[Mike Godfrey]

Cheers Guys,

that movie loaded up nicely here at work (not very busy )and the cracked mirror looks scary!Maybe theres a gap in the niche market for a job as a itinerant collimator ?

[Mike Godfrey]

Cheers Caz,

I im looking to you for expert guidance

All I need to do now is buy the thing!

[Darron]

With each article I read, i think I will have a go, go and set the scope up, get the tools out and then think, maybe not, It is probably fine as it is!!

One day

Darron

[radioactive]

With each article I read, i think I will have a go, go and set the scope up, get the tools out and then think, maybe not, It is probably fine as it is!!

One day

Darron

Well thats the Answer then :)

but testing its collimatoin is part of the whole thing so if you are testing it and its on or not then I presume its only logical to take the next step before you know it you have it done

[Greg]

It's dead simple, will take 10 min's and you'll wonder what all the fuss is about....

You need a Cheshire eyepiece and a mark on the centre of your main mirror. If you have no centre mark on your main mirror then you will have to take the mirror out to put a "Doughnut" in the center. :shock:

Even that's fairly easy - it's the worry of dropping or damaging the mirror's the problem

Once you have collimated the whole thing you can do the "Star test"

Couple of things......

The scope should be collimated on the mount - to prevent sag in the mirror mount

It should really be done outside with the scope at temperature..

If I get time i'll do a Primer and post it with pics..

Greg